A little more fun for a little less

During a time when melancholy stories of budget cuts, job cuts and a failing economy dominate the news, it is refreshing to hear stories like that of the Sample of the City event in Lexington.

Alicia Budich covered the story for The Rockbridge Report, and her experience proved that, despite the hardships that Lexington residents and U.S. citizens are undoubtedly facing during these hard times, people can still find a way to have a little fun and eat some good food. Restaurants from around the city came together to show locals and out-of-towners what they had to offer and, despite the cold and damp weather, created a cheery and festive event.

As a former longtime employee of local restaurant The Bistro, I like knowing that Lexington's small but impressive restaurants got to show what they are made of. Local restaurant owners take their importance in this small city seriously and it shows in their delicious refined dishes and excellent service.

It is just another example of an American characteristic that I value above all else, that people in the United States will always find a way to get by, to persevere, and to have some fun. Even during the Depression, when it seemed that things could not get any worse, professional sporting events still went on and communities gathered together to celebrate holidays. During this recession we can all be assured that the same will be true.
Maybe, with the economy slowing down and things getting "back to the basics," as my new favorite Allstate commercial says, people will be able to have a little more fun for a little less.

- Michelle Boniface

Celebrating a real American - and his family

Barack Hussein Obama is the 44th president of the United States. His father was not a former president. His last name does not denote the wealth that a name like Rockefeller or Forbes does. At first glance, the name doesn't even seem American! But no one who was paying attention to his presidential campaign, the passion with which he speaks about our country, and the enthusiasm with which he recited the presidential oath of office on Tuesday can deny that he as red-blooded an American as George Washington himself.
I still have a hard time believing that the first African-American president has been elected. I did believe that it would happen, one day. But never in my wildest dreams did I think I would see it happen so soon. I feel so blessed to have been a part of such an historic event. As an African-American, I am inspired by Barack Obama. He inspires me to believe that anything is possible - anything.
Seeing the First Family, a black first family, shows another, less-often seen representation of the black American family. The last time such a family was seen on television -- two highly educated parents with smart, well-rounded, respectful kids -- was when The Cosby Show was on air. It is so refreshing to see such an image.
But apart from being an inspiration to African-Americans, I have to believe that Barack Obama is an inspiration to the entire country, if not the world. His presidency shows us all that we are capable of change, great change. And with this change, I believe, comes a new era of prosperity and peace.

- Alicia Laventure

New year, new hope

So a new year has begun and a new team for The Rockbridge Report has been assembled. Being involved in The Rockbridge Report has long been a dreaded experience for new journalism students, but as a veteran of the j-school I can say that this semester's Rockbridge Report is going to be wild and crazy, yes, but I also have a feeling that my fellow producers and the reporters are going to make it run as smoothly as, say, a baby's bottom.

So what will this new year of 2009 hold for us? For me, 2009 will be the year of my college graduation, filled with memories of friends, nights out in Lex Vegas, and of course my days in the j-school. For many of us, 2009 will also be the year that we struggled to get by, struggled to find a job, and prayed that the economy would take a turn for the better.

It will also be remembered as the year of Barack Obama, the year that our country proved it was ready for change, politically and socially. Although there are inevitably going to be many challenges in 2009, maybe these challenges will allow us to cherish the small and simple things in life and, I hope, happy memories of graduations, family and friends will be the ones that we remember.

-Michelle Boniface